University of Redlands to hold auditions for Youth Choir

REDLANDS >> The University of Redlands Youth Choir is accepting new members.

There will be auditions — open to youngsters 5 to 16 — on Saturday by appointment only, said Nicholle Andrews, director of choral studies at the university.

The choir was revived by Andrews last year, and has grown from 22 members during its pilot run to 44 in the fall, she said.

Because demand has grown, Andrews separated the choir into two sections — a training course for children ages 5 to 8 and the youth choir open to those 9 through 16.

U of R education students and voice majors work with youth choir students to teach them the ropes and receive a bit of hands-on training when it comes to teaching new generation of music lovers.

“A choir is such a unique ensemble because anyone can be in a choir,” Andrews said. “You don’t need to have an instrument and you don’t need to have previous experience. If you can talk, we can teach you to sing.”

Andrews said the choir is a suitable environment for youths to participate in due to its non-competitive nature. The idea of the choir is to add to the music community that shines throughout Redlands, she added.

“The choir is very different from being on a sports team or something of that nature,” she continued.

Students have already signed up for Saturday’s auditions, but spots are available. Parties interested in auditioning have until Friday evening to send their inquiries to youthchoir@redlands.edu with their desired time.

Should a child not be able to make it Andrews said she could accommodate requests for next week.

Auditions will be held in Watchorn Hall at the school of music — a sponsor of the youth choir.

Advertisement

“It is exciting to watch this grown,” Andrews said.

Andrew Glendening, dean of the school of music, agreed.

“It’s exciting to see this thing grow so quickly, as it is a part of a number of initiatives we’ve had from youth orchestra to youth projects... that are opportunities for young musicians to study music in different ways,” he said. “These are things that should help make Redlands a better place to live and be. I am proud of the different things we are doing to inspire future musicians.”

Cost to be a part of the choir is $200 per semester. Rehearsals are held on Thursdays from 4 to 4:45 p.m. for the training chorus and from 5 to 6 p.m. for the youth choir.